Circuit closer



M 19, 1936- s. P. CALDWELL 2,040,919

CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed April '7, 1932 INVENTOR. SAMUEL R CALDWELL,

A TTORNEYS.

Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES onwUrr cLosEa Samuel P. Caldwell; Hamden, Conn as'signor to The Engineering and Research Corporation,

New Haven, Conn., necticut a corporation of 0011- Application April 7, 1932, Serial No. 603,699

' 1 Claim. (01. 20 9-159) This invention relates to a functionallyand unitary and simple apparatus capable of operatv ing over long periods of time with freedom from mechanical or electrical difllculties.

A further object of the invention is that of furnishing a device of this character in which operation thereof will assure a complete and proper closing of the circuit and in which a structure is presented which will properly exclude moisture or foreign elements from the structure or thecircuit closer.

Another object is that of constructing a switch which may be conveniently operated by the hand of the user, although within the province of the present invention it might be otherwise operated.

With these and other objects in mind, referin which:

Fig. l is a sectional .side view; Fig. 2 is a plan view with certain of the parts broken away to disclose the underlying construction; Fig. 3 is a .sectional side view showing the switch proper:

Fig. 4 is a plan view-thereof but again having certain of the parts broken away to disclose the underlying construction; 1

Fig. 5 shows a form of construction slightly different from thatillustrated in Fig. 1.

In these several views the numeral It indicates the base of the unit and upon which a top or cap H may be mounted and secured asfor example, by screws II. The base I 0 may be formed with one or more openings, through which electrical leads i3 may extend, it being obvious that electric conductor conduits may be coupled to the casing at this point.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cap or top H may be formed with an opening defined by a centrally upstanding flange H which may terminate in an outstanding bead orlip l5. An actuating element in the form of a rod or pin I6 50 slidably extends through the cap opening and mounts at its upper end a head I! having a downwardly extending flange l8 which snugly embraces the flange l4, and more especially the lip I 5 thereof, without such contact, however,

ence is had to the attached sheet of drawings preventing relative movements of the parts. At

its lower end the actuating. element is enlarged as at I! for engagement with the switch proper.

This switch, in the embodiment illustrated, preferably takes the form of a relatively rigid and concave disc 20, to which one of the C011? ductors I3 is connected, this disc centrally mounting a contact stud if this appears desirable. Overlying the disc 20 is a contact element which may take the form of a resilient or flexible strip 22, the inherent tendency of which is to extend in spaced relation to the disc 20 or contact element 2 I, but which may be flexed into engagement with one of these elements. The second conductor I3 is secured to the strip 22 and with a view to normally preventingelectrical connection between the disc and strip, a body or layerof di-electric material, such as rubber 23, is interposed between these elements. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 4, layers of suitable material, such -as rubber, are provided above the strip and below the plate, and thus form a housing 24 which-after suitable vulcanization or other treatment-serves to efiectually enclose the switch mechanism and protect the same 'from the action of moisture, foreign materials, etc.

It is obvious from the foregoing that the operator, by simply pressing against the head It, may exert sufllclent pressure upon the strip 22 to cause the same to be flexed into contact with the element 2| or the plate 20, thus closing the circuit. Due to the construction provided, a unit is furnished in which there is a minimum probability of damage occurring to the parts, either due to abuses in operation or due to the action of the elements. The unit will have an extremely long life and if desired may be locked by, for example, positioning the bail of a padlock (indicated in dotted lines of Fig. 1) to extend between the top of the cap proper and the lower edge of the flange i5.

It will be noted that by the present construction the switch unit is supported, .for example, on the ledge or flange 24' of the base and is prevented from shifting by contact with the walls of the complementary recess forming a part of the cap. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, a proper channel is. provided through which the leads l3 maybe threaded.

In certain instances it may be desired to actuate the switch by other than by application of direct pressure. It is obvious that if this result is desired, the stem It may, for example, be pro vided with a pin 25 which rides against a ledge surface 26 formed in the interior of the cap and providing in' eil'ect a cam. Thus, by simply tuming the knob ll. the stem is caused to shift downhas wardly to an extent adequate to assure a closing of the circuit. At the end of its travel the pin may ride into a notchiormed in the surface 26, as shown in Fig. 5, so that a deliberate manipulation of the parts is necessary to thereupon eil'ect an opening 01' the circuit.- It is also apparent that it operation or the unit in this manner is desired,

a handle 21 may be secured to the knob for the purpose oi. facilitating a turning of the latter.

From the foregoing it will be understood that among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted, are achieved. Obvious numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A circuit closer including a disk, a contact element extendingfrom said disk, an inherently resilient strip insulated from said element and extending from a point adjacent the edge of the disk across the same and to a point substantially diametrically opposite said first point, the ends of. said strip. being maintained substantially SAMUEL P, CAIDWELL. 

